Don Lee Phay, 83, a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather passed into his heavenly place on March 23, 2009 surrounded by his family.
Don was born on January 2, 1926 in Clarkston, Washington the son of William Linderman and Grace Avis Bozile Phay.
He met Grace Patricia Tyson while serving in the U.S. Army at Camp Beale and they were married in San Pedro, CA on January 11, 1947. Before 1951 he served as foreman for the Forks, WA Highway Department and in the Conservation Corps building cabins at Kalaloch in the Olympic National Park.
Don and Grace settled in Sedro-Woolley, in 1952 and Don worked as a foundryman at the Skagit Steel Mill for 36 years until he retired in 1988.
He enjoyed the out of doors and was an avid fisherman, hunter and hiker. Don served as the director of Campfire Girls’ Camp Heart’s Desire at Baker Lake, WA from 1964-1970 and received the father of the year award. His activities in Boy Scouts included chip carving, carpentry and woodworking; specializing in both making and collecting hand carved neckerchief slides. Through his guidance and influence two of his grandsons became Eagle Scouts.
He was known for his artful chip carving of magnificent boxes, banks and clocks that were always given as gifts to all his loved ones.
After retirement he focused his time and energy on impressing the appreciation of woodworking, nature, family, hard work, kindness and sensitivity towards neighbors.
Don is survived by his children, James Marsha Phay, Tom Dinah Phay, Bob Kathy Phay and Dorothy Jeffrey Adler. Fourteen grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, William Phay and his mother & step-father, Grace Phay & Robert Carson; his wife Grace; his brothers, Len and Dean Phay his and his daughter, Margaret Daniel Dameron.
The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Creekside Retirement Community and at Skagit Hospice for their assistance in making Don’s final transition peaceful and comfortable.
Graveside services will be held at the Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery on Friday, March 27, 2009 at 11:00 AM under the direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley. Memorial donations may be made to Skagit ospice PO Box 1376, Mount Vernon, WA 98274.